Chapter 74

  Present Day

  The king’s candles burned with mage fire, the slightly pinkish light catching on the gold thread used heavily through the upholstery and curtains. The bed was set low to the ground and gossamer fine curtains draped from ceiling to the floor, tied back at the four poles to reveal the shimmer of silk sheets and an amazing array of pillows. A silver tray had been set on the bed, on which sat the red and green orbs of grapes, two delicate, tiny cups and a squat bottle twisted around with silver filigree.